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Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Reverend Freakchild features a few friends on his latest record, "Dial It In." Chris Parker (Bob Dylan, Joe Cocker, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, John Hammond Jr.) lends his skills on the skins, providing beats for all the tracks.The Rev. is joined on Track 2 by Hugh Pool (who also recorded and mixed the album) on harmonica, rocking the country blues of "Jesus on the Mainline" into the modern age with a new raw blues version of Depeche Mode’s "Personal Jesus." On Track 3, the Rev is joined by Mark Karan (Bob Weir, Ratdog) on lead guitar for an original sorrowful San Francisco lament, "Hippie Bluesman Blues." On Track 4, Garrett Dutton (G Love and Special Sauce) blows harmonica and sings backing vocals with the amazing Hazel Miller, adding a hint of hip-hop to make for a soulful sounding infectious title track. On Track 8, Brian Mitchell (B.B. King, Levon Helm, Al Green) tickles the ivories, and on Track 9, Jay Collins (Greg Allman) gets a little jazzy with the Bob Dylan epic, adding a Morphine-type tone with tenor and baritone saxes. The Rev. then brings it back home and pays tribute to Blind Willie Johnson with a version of "Soul of a Man," adding a few new verses. The whole album is blues based but with a bit of, as Jorma Kaukonen says, a "psychedelic folk rock" flavor.

Monday, July 23, 2018

Lee Roy Parnell approached this release with the intention of letting the music and performances speak. There is a level of organically-delivered emotion through his playing that took the path of not over-producing every track. He reflects, “Well, it’s funny...most folks think of me primarily as a slide guitarist, and to some degree that is true, but I played ‘regular lead guitar’ long before I played slide. On the song ‘Hours In Between’ what you’re hearing is one continuous lead guitar track from me...one pass going down with my band and no fixes. Not to say I didn’t want to, but they all threatened to walk out on me if I did! Looking back, I’m glad I didn’t get the chance to fix anything.” On the songwriting side, Parnell collaborated solely with Greg Barnhill on the record, co- writing all 10 of the tracks together.Barnhill and Parnell’s dear friend, Etta Britt, sang all background vocals with the exception of the mighty voices of the The Fairfield Four who sang the “Keep On Walking” line repeated in the bridge of “Sunny Days.” Parnell offers, “I love many different styles of music...but for me it all goes back to The Blues. Blue-Eyed Soul, Jazz, Rock'n'Roll and Country all have the same Daddy and that Daddy is The Blues. As long as it’s soulful, I’m in. Muddy Waters was right — ‘The Blues had a baby and they called it Rock n Roll!’

Musically, Parnell presents some of the best performances of his career on this album. Midnight Believer was included on All Music's "Best Blues Albums of 2017" list, along with Keb' Mo' / Taj Mahal, Robert Cray, Gary Clark, Jr., David "Honeyboy" Edwards, and more!official website: http://leeroyparnell.com/

Sunday, July 22, 2018

Jack Wargo, AKA Guitar Jack, is no newcomer to the music scene. He has toured nationally and internationally with artists such as Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Hank Ballard & The Midnighters, Billy Preston, and Solomon Burke. He has also recorded with Ray Charles and The Jacksons to name a few. In Los Angeles, his band, Guitar Jack & No Slack, was the house band at BB KING's Blues Club. Jack played guitar for John Fogerty on HBO specials, "Welcome Home Vietnam Vets" and "Tribute to Buddy Holly."Guitar Jack Wargo's new CD, "Keepin' It Real" is Contemporary Blues, a blend of rhythm, soul, and the blues. It features eleven new songs and a cover of Woody Guthrie's "Goin' Down the Road Feeling Bad." Jack shares the vocals on his self-produced CD with singer AD Beal. He also brought in legendary artist Willie Chambers of the Chambers Brothers and The Sweet Inspirations to help out on vocals. World-renowned musicians Mike Finnigan on Hammond B-3 and Walfredo Reyes, Jr. on percussion, are Jack's very special guests. "Keepin' It Real" is a collection of original songs portraying various feelings of the blues, happy and sad.

Thursday, July 19, 2018

"The Last Ten Years" is the new album from Ryan Hutchens that has been ten years in the making. A stunning mix of bluegrass, folk, acoustic, rock, and more, this album is a culmination of artist Ryan Hutchen's last ten years spent living in Columbia, South Carolina, and is a sure tug at the heartstrings."Honest lyrics and personal stories that can express more universal thoughts and feelings are at the core of what I try to do with my songwriting" - Ryan HutchensListen to the album on Spotify, Soundcloud or Bandcamp.The Last Ten Years was recorded by Kenny McWilliams over the course of six days in May and June 2017 at Archer Avenue Studio in Columbia, South Carolina, and was mastered by Dave Harris on June 26, 2017 at Studio B Mastering in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Ryan Hutchens is a South Carolina-born singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist currently living in Denver, Colorado. He has been on the road since 2013, performing more than 900 solo acoustic sets across the United States. His live performances draw from his own discography as well as an extensive collection of folk, bluegrass, and gospel songs and select tracks from his favorite classic and contemporary songwriters. The necessity of travelling and performing solo has informed the development of Ryan's musical and songwriting style. Jordan Lawrence, writer for Free Times in Columbia SC called his arrangements "delicate but sweeping, making for a remarkably cohesive collection littered with stunners that rival many of indie folk's biggest names."

Thursday, July 5, 2018

Marshall Lawrence’s fifth release, “Feeling Fine,” is a return to high-energy rock and blues reminiscent of the late 70's and 80's British and American rock scenes. Marshall’s fiery approach to guitar playing and catchy songwriting come together for 10 original, exciting, hook-laden tracks. Marshall has the distinction of being a Maple Blues Award and Canadian Independent Music Award nominee. In reviews of his previous CDs, Marshall has been described as a "neo-Delta visionary" (Living Blues) and has been compared to Woody Guthrie (Living Blues) and to Taj Mahal, Roy Bookbinder and Corey Harris (Rootstime).Marshall has previously written and released “Where’s the Party” (2003), “The Morning After” (2008), “Blues Intervention” (2010), and “House Call” (2013). He has charted in the top 10 on Roots Music Report’s Roots Blues Top 50 Blues (International) – radio play, in the top 10 on Canada’s Roots Music Report – radio play, and in the top 10 on Roots Music Report - Roots Blues Top 50 Blues - internet radio play."I did the rock thing, I did the punk thing, I did the funk thing, I did the blues -- and for me this album is a progression to coming back home," Marshall says. "I use all of these musical influences in my approach to playing, whether I’m playing acoustic or electric. For me it’s not about playing like someone else because they’re popular, it’s about self-expression and playing what I feel. It’s about making sure I do whatever I can to help the listener have a good time and feel fine."

Monday, July 2, 2018

Inspired by classic and electric blues, the Bridget Kelly Band has placed their unique stamp on the blues genre, with high-energy live performances and a hybrid sound that mixes Texas and Memphis Blues with various Southern Blues traditions.Blues Warrior is the 6th studio album for the Bridget Kelly Band following last year’s 2 CD blues marathon Bone Rattler. Again it features the sultry-sweet vocals of Bridget Kelly and the guitar work of husband Tim Fik. Rounding out the lineup are bass players Mark Armbrecht and Mike Hamm, drummers Michael Barady and Christine Alexander, keyboard player Chris Alexander and harmonica whiz “Little Mike” Markowitz.Like the band’s prior outings, the guitar work of Tim Fik is absolutely gut busting. Tim charges each note with positive ions as he taps from a variety of styles and players. You can hear Hendrix and Stevie Ray and even Robbie Kreiger. Fik straddles the fence between rock and blues and strays confidently into either territory. His tone and improvisational funkiness are a joy to listen to.

Marty's review: The latest offering from the Bridget Kelly Band delivers the blues in no uncertain terms, and the style and professionalism of all involved shines through on all levels. Tim Fik's guitar work has influences from past masters but he has his own style and plays licks even the devil would be frightened to tackle. Bridget's powerful vocals blend right in and she delivers each lyric with confidence and an energy that's hard to hold back. Their backing section keeps up with relative ease and provides the solid backing to make this an all round effort that will please blues-rock fans to no end. It's a knockout from start to finish.